A historic chapter was written in the annals of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Biladu, Ilesa, on Sunday as Hon. Femi Oyeleye was formally installed as the first Baba Ijo of the church during a colourful and spiritually uplifting service attended by clergy, dignitaries, family members, and well-wishers.
The investiture ceremony was conducted by the Diocesan of Ilesa, Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo F. Asaju, who was accompanied by Mama Ilesa, Barr. Mrs. Harriet ‘Seun Dapo-Asaju. Their presence added significance to the event, which drew worshippers from within and outside Ilesa.
The occasion carried a touching historical significance for the Oyeleye family. Hon. Oyeleye’s late father, Pa. Aremu Oyeleye, had earlier been elected to occupy the office of Baba Ijo but passed away before the investiture could take place. The installation of his son was therefore widely regarded as a fulfilment of the family’s earlier expectation and a continuation of a legacy of service to God and the Church.
The service commenced with the hymn “Gbogbo Ayé, Gbé Jesu Ga” (I.O.M. 568), followed by prayers, scripture readings, the recitation of the Creed, and intercessory prayers.
Delivering the sermon titled “Call to Duty”, Ven. Akinolu Temitope Ajayi described the occasion as the first investiture of a Baba Ijo in the history of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Biladu. He thanked God for the privilege of witnessing the event and appreciated the Diocesan and Mama Ilesa for attending despite having just returned from their annual leave.
Ven. Ajayi also commended the leadership of the Diocese of Ilesa and praised the Oyeleye family for its longstanding commitment to the church.
Preaching from Mark 10:33–35, the cleric emphasized that every Christian calling is a moral and spiritual obligation to God and urged church leaders to remember that they are first servants of God.
Quoting Titus 1:6–9, he outlined the qualities expected of Christian leaders, including integrity, self-control, sound teaching, and good family leadership.
Addressing the newly installed Baba Ijo directly, Ven. Ajayi stressed that the office is a call to service rather than a position of personal honour.
“Baba Ijo is a towel, not a throne,” he declared, urging Hon. Oyeleye to remain humble and embrace servant leadership.
He advised him to serve God wholeheartedly, support the church leadership, provide wise counsel when needed, and work for the growth of the church. He further reminded him that his authority is complementary to, and not above, the constituted authority of the church and diocese.
The sermon also marked an emotional moment for Ven. Ajayi, who announced that he would be retiring from active service within hours of the ceremony. He thanked the Diocesan for the opportunity to serve and preach in the Diocese of Ilesa.
Following the sermon, Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo F. Asaju formally installed Hon. Femi Oyeleye as Baba Ijo and presented him before the congregation. Family members and well-wishers later escorted the newly installed church elder to his designated seat amid applause and celebration.
A thanksgiving session followed, during which the congregation joined the Oyeleye family in appreciating God for the successful completion of the investiture.
The service ended with prayers and benediction by the Diocesan, after which photographs were taken to commemorate the occasion.
The installation of Hon. Femi Oyeleye as the first Baba Ijo of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Biladu, is being celebrated as a testimony of faith, continuity, family legacy, and dedicated service to God and the Church.
Source: Diocese of Ilesa Media Unit
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment